Massachusetts NWOBHM-tinged battle Oi! Sort of like a more restrained SHIPWRECKED with some later SLAPSHOT and early DEF LEPPARD thrown in. It works on faster numbers like the opener “Spinning Wheels” but some of this plods on into mediocrity. Still overall not the worst thing you’ll listen to today, hopefully. Rock on mates!
Four blasts of mid-paced street rock’n’roll with a melodic undercurrent. Did this band time travel from the ’90s? It’s like they were drinking at a pub with the WRETCHED ONES and fell into a wormhole that dumped them out onto a grimy modern-day Massachusetts sidewalk. One thing’s for sure, DEAD LOW won’t be accused of breaking new ground. The guitarist’s flirtation with metal is a trifle unnerving and the production is overwrought, but they do pack a punch with solid musicianship and anthemic shout-along choruses. If you ever felt like the TEMPLARS were too stripped-down, this might be worth a spin.
Solid hardcore effort from this quartet of skinheads. These folks fancy themselves as an Oi! act, but it comes off a bit more youth crew to me—sounds a lot more like GORILLA BISCUITS and YOUTH OF TODAY than it does ANGELIC UPSTARTS and the like. Very heavy, powerful gang vocals laden throughout. The singer, while unique, has a RAY CAPPO edge to him as well, especially during the spoken word parts where their Northeastern US accent is in full effect. This one flies by; I was shocked when it was finished, but was all too happy to start it up again.
